Spinal Cord Injury: How PTs Can Help

Spinal Cord Injury: How PTs Can Help

The Many Faces of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury, or SCI, is defined as damage to the spinal cord causing temporary or permanent changes in its function. The spinal cord is a wonderfully complex structure, which controls so many things in our bodies, and an injury can vary widely based on where the injury occurred. Cervical spinal cord injuries typically affect a larger proportion of the body, which can include arm function, thoracic typically the trunk muscles and lumbar affects the legs. Even within that framework, there is a lot of variation based on the area of the spinal cord that was impacted and whether the injury was complete (permanent damage to an area) or incomplete (partial damage). The most recent data from the National Spinal Cord Injury Database states there are currently around 288,000 people in the US living with SCI, with an additional 17,700 new injuries each year.

Possible Effects of Spinal Cord Injury:

Tetraplegia (paralysis in all 4 limbs)

Paraplegia (paralysis in legs)

Muscle weakness

Spasticity, or change in muscle tone

Numbness or tingling in arms or legs

Bowel and bladder issues

Sexual function changes

Pain

Dizziness

No two people with an SCI have the same presentation of symptoms. One person with SCI may be able to walk without assistance, some may walk using an assistive device such as a cane or walker while wearing a brace, some may need to use a manual wheelchair and some may use a power wheelchair. Although many people with injuries have completed rehab in the past, some have not. In many cases, those living with chronic issues have not seen a PT since their initial injury.

Life After Inpatient Rehab

People living with SCI do not typically seek additional therapies after being discharged from their initial therapy stay. Often, even those who do an outpatient course initially are unaware that they may need occasional “check-ups” by a PT to assess existing level of function and correct postural asymmetries. Periodic reassessments can help to prevent regressions, update physical activity recommendations and exercise programs to ensure an individual is maintaining optimal health and wellness.

How Physical Therapy Can Help

A Neurological Physical Therapist (PT) has special training on how neurological injuries can affect the body, sot they typically have a greater understanding of the complexities of muscle tone, need for adaptive equipment including wheelchairs, and specialized education on secondary complications that can follow an SCI. The PTs at One on One PT will perform a comprehensive evaluation, including a detailed history, to create an individualized treatment plan for you that may include:

Why One on One PT?

Sometimes after your in-patient therapy stay, there are still goals to work on. Many in-network outpatient PT clinics have to see multiple patients in an hour, decreasing the amount of individualized time you spend with your PT. At One on One Physical Therapy, we are unique in that you spend an uninterrupted 60 minutes working together with your neuro PT to meet your goals. We have specialty equipment including Pilates apparatus and Redcord Professional Workstations to activate your muscles, all which compliment our manual therapy skills and exercise prescription.

In the state of Georgia, you do not need a prescription from a physician to see a PT for an initial evaluation. If at the time of evaluation, it is determined physical therapy is warranted, your PT can contact the doctor’s office with the plan of care and get a prescription for you.

Dr. Laura Glazebrook earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of North Georgia in 2012. Laura joins One on One Physical Therapy after spending 6 years specializing in neurological disorders, including stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Laura grew up in a dance studio, but currently enjoys an active lifestyle including running, triathlons, Pilates and yoga. In her time outside the office, she and her husband enjoy traveling and navigating the mayhem of parenting. You can email Laura at laurag@onetherapy.com. To learn more, visit www.onetherapy.com.

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